Illinois veteran education benefits
Stars rate how much each state offers veterans themselves for college, training and exam fees (family-only programs don't count): 5 = free public-college tuition for most resident veterans, no disability rating needed; 3 = partial grants or narrower eligibility; 1 = little or nothing beyond federal benefits. How we rate
IVG pays tuition and mandatory fees at all IL public colleges (incl. graduate) with no rating requirement; 15-year-residency path suits long-separated vets.
Checked Oct 7, 2026. State benefits change often. Confirm the details with the state agency before you apply.
Verify on the official page means we could not fully confirm that detail on the agency's own page.
For veterans
Illinois Veterans' Grant (IVG)
- What it covers
- Tuition and mandatory fees at all Illinois state-supported universities and community colleges; undergraduate or graduate; up to 120 eligibility units (about four full-time academic years).
- Who qualifies and limits
- Honorable discharge (general under honorable counted in limited cases); at least one full year of active duty (or active duty in a foreign country in a time of hostilities); EITHER resided in Illinois 6 months before entering service and returned to Illinois within 6 months of discharge, OR has been an Illinois resident for at least 15 consecutive years after leaving active duty as of the application date; must reside in IL while enrolled. Apply to ISAC by the last day of classes of the first term.
Illinois National Guard Grant (ING)
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- Tuition and certain fees at Illinois public 2- and 4-year colleges.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Illinois National Guard members.
For spouses and children
Deceased, Disabled, and MIA-POW Veteran's Dependents Scholarship
- What it covers
- Scholarship covering 120 credits at an Illinois public university or community college.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Veteran MIA, POW, rated 100% P&T service-connected (incl. IU), or death rated service-connected. Spouses may also be eligible.
University of Illinois Children of Veterans Scholarship
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- One scholarship per county per year to the University of Illinois.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Children of veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam or any time on/after Aug 2, 1990.
Illinois Fallen Heroes Scholarship
Verify on the official page
- What it covers
- $5,000 deposited in a Bright Start 529 account.
- Who qualifies and limits
- Children of deceased service members.
If you left the service 15 to 20 years ago
Excellent for long-separated vets: IVG has a path for veterans who have lived in Illinois 15+ consecutive years since leaving active duty, even if they did not live in IL before service. No disability rating needed, no discharge deadline. Requires 1 full year of active duty. Whether the GI Bill must be used first: not confirmed on an official source (ask ISAC).
Who to contact
- State veterans agency
- Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA)
- Education office
- IDVA Education / Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) administers IVG
- State Approving Agency (approves schools and programs for the GI Bill)
- Illinois State Approving Agency (Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs)
Sources we checked
- veterans.illinois.gov/services-benefits/education/illinois-veterans-grant.html
- isac.org/students/during-college/types-of-financial-aid/grants/ivg-p
- isac.org/e-library/documents/administrative-rules/2024-25-isac-rules
- veterans.illinois.gov/services-benefits/education/educational-opportunities-for-c
- myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/State/Territory-Benefits/Illinois
Federal benefits such as the GI Bill and VR&E are separate. See the FAQ and the GI Bill programs.